St. Vincent official calls for national response after Green Hill mass shooting

Acting Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Major St. Clair Leacock has called for a national collective response following a mass shooting in Green Hill, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The attack, which occurred on the night of September 25, involved gunmen in a vehicle opening fire on a group near a shop, resulting in at least four deaths and several injuries. Many of the victims were young people under the age of 30.

Leacock described the incident as “so unfortunate, so unnecessary” and noted that Green Hill had previously been considered one of the most peaceful areas in his constituency. While expressing support for law enforcement and the Commissioner of Police, Leacock warned that the nation cannot “arrest and prosecute” its way out of the escalating crime crisis.

He advocated for a “whole of St. Vincent” approach, urging involvement from families, schools, and faith-based communities to address gang proliferation and youth violence. Leacock suggested that addressing the root causes through social, spiritual, and redemption-based initiatives would be more effective than the high costs associated with incarceration.